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There’s a lot going on in the world of crime fiction these days and that’s what this blog is about. Mostly.

I draw inspiration for my books from so many different places, it would be a shame to say this is ONLY a crime blog on thrillers, mysteries, police procedurals, whodunits and what-have-yous. I just don’t think that way. More, importantly, I don’t read that way. And I don’t think you do either.

So let me piece together the inner world of one crime writer, namely me, by showing you exactly what I’m up to: what I’m reading, watching, listening, etc. I’ll also share with you some interviews with authors I know, or whose work I’ve reviewed and hopefully hear back from as many of you as possible about your reading joys. I’m a sucker for recommendations.

Enjoy.

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25 Responses to “Home”

I’ve read your review on Micki Pistorius’ book. I’d like to give my opinion, as a South African, on that.
Micki is one of my heroes. She is a fascinating lady and would love to meet her, just to see her in person and hear some stories.
Catch me a Killer is by far one of the best autobiographies I’ve read.

There was a time when I was still a psychology student at Tuks (in the same department where she completed her masters), when I hoped to follow in her footsteps as a forensic psychologist. But I had no clue how to become one, or even if I REALLY wanted to be one, and so I shot for becoming a writer instead😉

I’ve met Micki on many occassions, and she’s currently assisting me on my latest book, Price of a Country, which is due out beginning of next year. I have huge respect for her work, especially because of the times she worked in, what with being the only woman on many of the homicide investigations she later helped solve.

I would honestly love to meet her. I have a lot of respect for her. She worked in harsh circumstances and did what many people believed women cannot do. But, honestly, who wouldn’t want to follow in her footsteps after reading her books???

Keep a look-out for her. I don’t know where you are based, but Micki often does readings in Pretoria and Johannesburg, with a few in Cape Town too.

As for my ambitions to become a forensic psychologist – it was a difficult choice not to pursue that direction, but at that time in my life I decided I had other priorities. I wanted to see the world, try to become a writer, and I also didn’t want that kind of work weighing down on me in the long-term. I still hanker after it, which is probably why I write crime stories now, but in the end I think I made the best decision for myself.

Hi Richard, I think you made the right career choice – it’s very hard working in an applied psychology job AND writing productively at the same time. But it’s just as well you’re so *good* at the productive and quality writing bit!

Hi!
I’m an Afghan junior of English literature. What I’m typing here is not related to the subject–sorry for that. I’ve written some short stories in English and would sincerely like you to help me find out the faults and enhance my techniques and style. By the way, do you probabely know a place to publish them.
Thanking you in advance,
Ramezan

It’s great to see that you’ve written a few stories in a language that’s probably not your mother tongue. I’d make a complete mess of it, if I tried to write in German or Afrikaans. As much as I’d love to take a look at your stories and help out, I simply don’t have the time. You could join some online writer’s groups or find groups in your local area; I know a good number of authors who’ve used these groups to great effect. Stephen King was actively involved in one while at college, and Chelsea Cain is still part of one. They help you share ideas while not having the arduous distinction of mentor and pupil. Try to find a group where it’s about improving your performance as a writer — there are unfortunately groups where it’s about egos and criticism can be ruthless. Find a bunch you’re comfortable with, and who listen to your ideas and help improve on them.

They give you tons of information, and you have a standing tutor to whom you can send short stories for advice and direction. It’s a self-study course with good resources, but it’s 100% about how you make use of those facillities; otherwise the cash you pay upfront is a waste.

The next issue of the Mystery Readers Journal will focus on Mysteries set in Africa. Love to have an Author! Author! essay from you for this issue. 500-2500 words, first person, upclose and personal about yourself, your books and the “African” connection. Think of it as chatting with friends, other writers and readers in the cafe or bar.

Mystery Readers Journal is a hardcopy magazine (available in 2010 as a .pdf download to subscribers) about 76-90 pages. We’re in our 26th year and go out to subscribers worldwide.

I’ve still got Jeff’s email somewhere, so I’ll drop him an email with a few suggestions. I’ll copy you in, along with Nick Gevers, so that you can keep track of what’s happening.

There’s a good quality magazine that occassionally produces some ‘new weird’ stuff, though their focus is ‘thriller and suspense’. I think I’ve blogged on Something Wicked before.

Also check out Lavie Tidhar’s work. He’s Israeli but grew up in South Africa and has set some stories there. He’s just come out with a new book The Bookman. Also, Lynn Jamneck has been doing some excellent stuff. She’s originally from Cape Town but now lives in New Zealand.

Yup, it’s been a while. I’ve got a fourth book in the pipeline — different direction, different characters — a new series altogether.

It’s set in 1992 just after Nelson Mandela was released from jail, and South Africa looked on the brink of collapse when it looked like just about every political party had it’s own military wing and violent aspirations.

It’s taking me a little longer to write because I want to get it just right. And when it’s finally finished, I’m confident it’ll be a whole lot better than the first three, certainly more fast-paced than anything that’s come before.

Thanks for all the support and keep your eyes open.

Richard

P.S. If you want to read something else written by me in the meantime, check out an essay on crime-writing in the upcoming Quarter 1 issue of Words etc. There’s also a crime short story in Bad Company, edited by Joanne Hichens.

My father is big fan and avid reader of your books and I was hoping you could send him an autograph to cheer him up, he just had quadruple bypass heart surgery and I know receiving an autograph from you would put a smile on his face. I have included his name and address below. Thank you very much, Kim

I came across your first 2 books in the local library and thorougly enjoyed it ! Going to buy Dead-End Road since I can’t find it in the library. In fact- I’n going to buy all your books. Love the characters and the setting and will recommend to my friends. Keep up the good work

I only recently discovered your books from the local library and gobbled up all all three of your Harry/Jacob books. Thank you for giving me a new perspective on my own country. It is always good to remember that not everyone has the same life experience and mores. Parallel, but vastly different lives – in every way – within the same geographical area. I hope you will continue with these characters down the line.

I’m indeed working on a 4th book – a different collection of characters set in the momentous days of 1994, but it’s slow going ever since I moved to the UK and took a day job. Watch this space for news!

Hi
Just finished your first book. Quite impressed, much better than some of the Scandinavian books I’ve read recently. However please get your gun facts correct. A Glock does not have a hammer that can be thumb cocked.
Keep up the good work.

Hi Johan, thanks for the compliment – the Scandinavians have completely clinched the crime market at the moment, so I’m glad to see people are actually reading other crime as well. And thanks for setting me straight on the Glock! I’ve been meaning to go on a gun training course that a friend recommended to me, where you get to know the different weapons better, but the course is in South Africa and I’m in the UK, so I’ll have to see when next the opportunity arises.